Band Profile

Roam

RoamSpotify
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Roam quick facts

FromUnited Kingdom
StatusActive
SoundPopPop PunkPop RockPunk
LabelsHopelessHopeless RecordsRepriseReprise Records
Members (2)
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“Roam” is a song by American new wave band the B-52’s released as the third single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989). The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. The B-52’s worked with a co-writer, Robert Waldrop, who penned the lyrics. Released as a single in 1989, “Roam” peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Release

The “Roam” single was released with a variety of remixes as well as live tracks recorded at Cleveland Music Hall.

Reception

“Roam” became the band’s second and final US top-10 hit, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1990 and spending 20 weeks on the chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in April 1990. Worldwide, the song became a top-10 success in Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand, peaking at numbers four, nine, and two, respectively. In February 1991, the B-52’s were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for “Roam”.

Music video

The music video for “Roam” was directed by Adam Bernstein and produced by Jonna Mattingly, with Zack Winestine serving as the director of photography. Filmed in New York City, the video contains plentiful animations and stock footage.

Track listings

US maxi-CD single

  1. “Roam” (7-inch remix) – 5:11
  2. “Roam” (radio mix) – 4:13
  3. “Roam” (12-inch remix) – 8:17
  4. “Bushfire” (LP version) – 4:56
  5. “Roam” (extended remix) – 5:25
  6. “Roam” (instrumental) – 5:27

US and Australian 12-inch single

A1. “Roam” (extended remix) – 5:27
A2. “Roam” (instrumental) – 5:25
B1. “Roam” (12-inch remix) – 8:17
B2. “Bushfire” (LP version) – 4:56

US 7-inch and cassette single

A. “Roam” (edit) – 4:05
B. “Bushfire” (LP version) – 4:56

UK 7-inch, CD, and cassette single

  1. “Roam” (edit)
  2. “Whammy Kiss” (live)
  3. “Dance This Mess Around” (live)

UK 12-inch single

A1. “Roam” (radio mix) – 4:13
A2. “Roam” (12-inch remix) – 8:17
B1. “Roam” (12-inch extended mix) – 5:25

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the Cosmic Thing album booklet.

Studios

  • Recorded digitally and mixed analog at Skyline Studios (New York City)
  • Mastered at Masterdisk (New York City)

Personnel

  • The B-52’s – music
  • Robert Waldrop – lyrics
  • Sara Lee – bass guitar
  • Richard Hilton – keyboard, programming
  • Leroy Clouden – drums
  • Nile Rodgers – production, mixing
  • Budd Tunick – production management
  • Tom Durack – mixing, engineering
  • Ed Brooks – second engineering
  • Keith Freedman – second engineering
  • Paul Angelli – second engineering
  • Patrick Dillett – second engineering
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1989–1990) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) 11
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 4
Canada Dance/Urban (RPM) 13
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 40
Germany (GfK) 40
Ireland (IRMA) 9
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg) 12
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) 2
UK Singles (Official Charts) 17
US Billboard Hot 100 3
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard) 10
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard) 10
US Cash Box Top 100 3

Year-end charts

Chart (1990) Position
Australia (ARIA) 68
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 45
New Zealand (RIANZ) 45
US Billboard Hot 100 40
US Modern Rock Tracks (Billboard) 25
US Cash Box Top 100 36

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) Gold 35,000^
United States (RIAA) Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

1989

United States

1990

Australia

1990

Australia

1990

Japan

Cover versions

In 2023 the Bonvoy loyalty program for Marriott International released a series of ads featuring re-recorded and remixed versions of the song as part of their “Roam Around the World” campaign. The songs were produced by W Hotels Global music director Leah Chisholm (aka LP Giobbi) and featured vocals by Amelia Rae.

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References
  1. ^ Melchior, Al (April 6, 2024). “Remember When: The B-52s Improbably Became Bigger than Ever with ‘Cosmic Thing’“. American Songwriter. Retrieved April 7, 2024. Roam” was not typical B-52s fare. It’s a straightforward pop song that relies more on its melodicism…
  2. ^ Naftule, Ashley (August 13, 2019). “Seven Songs to Get You Into The B-52s”. Phoenix New Times. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Cosmic Thing (US CD album booklet). Reprise Records. 1989. W2 25854.
  4. ^ a b Roam (UK CD single liner notes). Reprise Records. 1990. W9827CD, 7599-21542-2.
  5. ^ “Annual Grammy Nominations”. United Press International. February 19, 1991. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  6. ^ “Video Track”. Billboard. Vol. 101, no. 48. December 2, 1989. p. 48.
  7. ^ Roam (US maxi-CD single disc notes). Reprise Records. 1989. 9 21441-2.
  8. ^ Roam (US & Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc). Reprise Records. 1989. 0-21441, 9 21441-0.
  9. ^ a b “The B-52’s – Roam“. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  10. ^ Roam (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). Reprise Records. 1989. 7-22667.
  11. ^ Roam (US cassette single cassette notes). Reprise Records. 1989. 9 22667-4, 4-22667.
  12. ^ Roam (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Reprise Records. 1990. W 9827.
  13. ^ Roam (UK cassette single sleeve). Reprise Records. 1990. W9827C.
  14. ^ Roam (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Reprise Records. 1990. W9827T, 7599-21480-0.
  15. ^ “Top RPM Singles: Image 9078“. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  16. ^ “Top RPM Dance/Urban: Image 9075“. RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  17. ^ “Eurochart Hot 100 Singles” (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 22. June 2, 1990. p. IV. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  18. ^ “Offizielle Deutsche Charts” (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click ‘TITEL VON’, followed by the artist’s name. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  19. ^ “The Irish Charts – Search Results – Roam“. Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  20. ^ Radio Luxembourg Singles. May 27, 1990.
  21. ^ “The B-52’s – Roam“. Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  22. ^ “Official Singles Chart on 2/6/1990 – Top 100“. Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  23. ^ “The B-52s 2 Chart History (Hot 100)“. Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  24. ^ “The B-52s 2 Chart History (Dance Club Songs)“. Billboard. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  25. ^ “The B-52s 2 Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)“. Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  26. ^ “Top 100 Singles” (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LIII, no. 34. March 17, 1990. p. 22. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  27. ^ a b “The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart 1990 (61–100) (from The ARIA Report No. 50)”. ARIA. Retrieved October 10, 2016 – via Imgur.
  28. ^ “Top 100 Tracks of 1990”. RPM. Retrieved May 14, 2018 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  29. ^ “Top Selling Singles of 1990”. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  30. ^ “The Year in Music 1990: Top Pop Singles”. Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. YE-14.
  31. ^ “The Year in Music 1990: Top Modern Rock Tracks”. Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. YE-47.
  32. ^ “Awards – Top 50 Pop Singles” (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. LIV, no. 22. December 29, 1990. p. 9. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  33. ^ “American single certifications – B-52 – Roam”. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  34. ^ “New Release Summary: Singles”. The ARIA Report. No. 4. February 4, 1990. p. 20.
  35. ^ “New Release Summary: Singles”. The ARIA Report. No. 11. March 25, 1990. p. 19.
  36. ^ “ラブ・シャック | The B-52’s” [Love Shack | The B-52’s] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  37. ^ “Marriott Bonvoy Inspires Travelers to Discover the Unexpected as They Roam Around the World” (Press release). Bethesda, MD. 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  38. ^ “Roam Around the World | Marriott Bonvoy” (video). youtube.com. Marriott Bonvoy. Apr 17, 2023. Cited information in the video’s description
  39. ^ “A Conversation with W Hotels Global Music Director, LP Giobbi | Marriott Bonvoy” (video). youtube.com. Marriott Bonvoy. Jul 31, 2023.Interview with LP Giobbi

Source: Wikipedia